Attention:
By the time an infant
is between the ages of 18 months and three, the child begins to stay
with difficult tasks, persisting and by expanding the child's
attention to try to figure out how to succeed, rather than experiencing
frustration and just giving up. For example, a child might work several
minutes to open a canister of blocks before going to an adult to ask for
help.
Self-Regulation
During the middle to
ones and early twos, the primary social task of the child is to test
social limits, rules, and expectations. In fact, some experts suggest
that the child spends approximately 90% of his/her wakeful moments
testing those around him. This time period is commonly called the
terrible twos, but the temper tantrums, constant "nos" and seemingly
endless opposition from the child are necessary for social development.
It is through this testing that the child learns what is acceptable
behavior and what is not, that is why it is so important for an adult
caregiver to set consistent limits and be firm in not wavering or giving
in to the demands of the child. Although this time period can be
frustrating, especially when standing in line a K-Mart or the grocery
store, a caregiver should remember that all children go through
this stage if they are to reach maturity -- and, that these times will
soon pass!
Sometime between the age of 2 and 3, the child begins to understand
and internalize the limits learned during the previous six months,
accepting routines and behavioral limits. The child can also begin to
follow directions given by an adult in relation to these limits (e.g.,
"Stay here." "Remember to walk.").
There
was a child who went forth every day and the first object he looked upon,
he became. And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain
part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years. - Walt Whitman
